How did the world emerge according to different cultures

Before we came across the concept of ‘Big Bang Theory’, people belonging to different religions had different perceptions about how the world came into being. It was always a question that intrigued people. So much so, that even today many people equate it to the question of ‘Who came first - Hen or Egg?’. Humans used to question if God created the Universe then who created God and if the universe and its people created Gods, then how did the former come into being?
Well, from cosmic dances to power struggles, here we list how different cultures believe the world came into being.

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world and there are many beliefs and stories regarding the creation of the world. One of the most popular beliefs is the story of Shiva and his cosmic dance. The energy and vibrations that pulsated through the universe during his tandav resulted in the different elements being formed on the face of earth.
Another widely believed narrative is that of Lord Brahma being the creator of the entire universe and then Lord Vishnu ensuring the smooth procession of life. Lord Shiva in this belief is the destroyer of the universe.

In Christianity, the Bible serves as the primary source of creation mythology. The ‘Book of Genesis’ gives the story of the origin of the world. It recounts that God created the world in six days, making everything from light and darkness to all living beings. After the sixth day, humanity was formed through Adam and Eve, in God’s image.

Islam too has common roots with Christianity with respect to the creation story. In Islam, it is Allah who created the world in six days and humanity's purpose is to worship and serve him. The story is similar to the biblical narrative which placed Adam and Eve as the first humans. Islam focuses on the importance of submitting to Allah's will and being in right conduct throughout life. Islam also focuses on creating a strong connection between the Creator and the created.

Greek culture shifts a little from the other stories. According to Greek mythology, the primordial chaos gave rise to Gaia (Earth) and other deities. Gaia's union with Uranus (Sky) produced the Titans and other mythical beings. The Titans, in turn, gave birth to the Olympian gods, such as Zeus, who then defeated the Titans in a struggle for supremacy.
It is also believed that concerned about a prophecy, Zeus swallowed Metis, birthing Athena from his head.

According to Norse beliefs, the world began with the collision of fire and ice, creating the primeval being Ymir. From Ymir's body, the world was formed, and the gods Odin, Vili and Ve created humanity from an ash tree and an elm tree. The Norse myth also mentions how Odin, Vili and Ve eliminated Ymir because of the constant struggle and fear between order and chaos.